Tinder Box: The Iroquois Theatre Disaster 1903

The Iroquois Theater in Chicago, boasting every modern convenience, advertised itself proudly as “absolutely fireproof” when it opened in November, 1903. Mr. Bluebeard, a fairy tale musical imported from the Drury Lane Theatre in London was the opening production. And leading the troupe of nearly 400 was one of the most popular comedians of the time, Eddie Foy.

None of the many socialites and journalists who flocked to the shows were aware that city building inspectors and others had been br...